Mortgage workshop coming up in Modesto

Homeowners concerned about their mortgage can get free advice and perhaps negotiate face-to-face with their lender at a foreclosure prevention workshop June 28 in Modesto.

Mortgage modification representatives from Countrywide Home Loans, Wells Fargo, Washington Mutual, IndyMac Bank and Freddie Mac will be at the event to talk to their borrowers about possible loan options.

Other mortgage companies have been invited to attend.

Homeowners also can receive one-on-one counseling by housing specialists from ByDesign Financial Solutions, Project Sentinel and Visionary Home Builders.

The counselors are certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They offer neutral advice and do not sell products or services.

To better prepare for the event, homeowners are encouraged to download and fill out two forms posted online at www.modbee.com/housing. The Foreclosure Conference Intake Form and the Household Budget Form will help homeowners gather the data they will need to negotiate with lenders and work with counselors.

Also posted on The Bee's site is a flier explaining the event, along with links to: advice on how to avoid foreclosure, steps toward keeping your home, HUD-approved counseling agencies, a budget worksheet for homeownership and informa- tion about Federal Housing Administration-secured loans.

During the event, homeowners can attend free workshops on:

How to avoid foreclosure and lending scams

How to determine whether you can afford to keep your house

What mortgage solutions are possible

How to negotiate with lenders

What tax consequences there are on forgiven loans

The foreclosure prevention workshop is open to all homeowners. The event, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be held at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center's Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto.

Parking is free and reservations are not needed.

The event is being organized by a coalition of community and government groups.

Before the June 28 workshop, there are two chances for people to get housing advice in Modesto.

Saturday at James Marshall Park at 400 Sutter Ave., there will be a housing counselor available at the Weed & Seed Resource Fair.

On June 26, at the Maddux Youth Center at 615 Sierra Drive, there will be a workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m., titled "Alternatives to Foreclosure."